Drum type vending machine

ABSTRACT

Trays within a given level of a drum-type vending machine form individual zones, and may be further subdivided into additional individual zones, for which pricing may be separately specified. A vend door for the corresponding level is constrained to allow access to a given zone upon payment of the appropriate amount. More levels and greater flexibility in pricing and product selection are thus enabled, together with greater control over vending operations.

[0001] This utility application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/419,039 entitled “DRUM TYPE VENDING MACHINE”and filed Oct. 15, 2002. The content of the above-identified applicationis hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed, in general, to vendingmechanisms and, more specifically, to vending machines employing arotating drum.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Vending machines (or, equivalently, “merchandising systems”) areoften employed to deliver food, such as sandwiches, fruit or otheritems, in environments having limited access to alternative food serviceestablishments or not warranting the expense of one or more food serviceattendants, either continually or during “off-peak” periods. Suchenvironments include sites too remote from off-site food serviceestablishments or work environments in which different shifts (e.g., anight shift) coincide with periods of limited availability of open foodservice establishments.

[0004] Some vending machines employ a vertical barrel or drum containinga number of essentially circular horizontal trays for holding foodproducts, all maintained at the same temperature. The potential customeris generally able to rotate the drum to view various products. Afterpayment and item selection, the customer is allowed access only to theitem selected through a vend door located at the appropriate layer.

[0005] Drum-type vending machines are typically limited to only aboutthree zones (e.g., horizontal levels) or less, and normally do notpermit differentiation of price for product within a given zone. Thus,for example, all items on a given level must typically be sold for thesame price. Conventional drum-type vending machines thus lackadaptability in offering different types of food products and inaccepting price programming for different items within a given zone.These constraints limit the amount and type of products that a vendormay place in a single machine, and may require the vendor to operatemultiple machines at a given site, decreasing customer selection whileincreasing operating costs.

[0006] There is, therefore, a need in the art for improved flexibilityof product placement and pricing for drum-type vending machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, itis a primary object of the present invention to provide, for use in adrum-type vending machine, trays mounted within a given level of thedrum to form individual zones, which may be further subdivided intoadditional individual zones, for which pricing may be separatelyspecified. A vend door for the corresponding level is constrained toallow access to a given zone upon payment of the appropriate amount.More levels and greater flexibility in pricing and product selection arethus enabled, together with greater control over vending operations.

[0008] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features andtechnical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled inthe art may better understand the detailed description of the inventionthat follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention willbe described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of theinvention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they mayreadily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as abasis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out thesame purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art willalso realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

[0009] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONbelow, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain wordsor phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation; the term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, becommunicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximateto, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and theterm “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controlsat least one operation, whether such a device is implemented inhardware, firmware, software or some combination of at least two of thesame. It should be noted that the functionality associated with anyparticular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locallyor remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are providedthroughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most,instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words andphrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, andthe advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 depicts a simplified plan view for a drum-type vendingmachine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of a drum-type vending machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 depicts a vend door for a drum-type vending machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system for a drum-typevending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplified diagrams illustrating constructionof a drum and individual levels and zones therein for a drum-typevending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 depicts an individual tray for use within a drum for adrum-type vending machine according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIGS. 7A and 7B depicts a tray subdivider and locking mechanismfor use with a tray within a drum for a drum-type vending machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 8 depicts an assembled tray, subdivider and locking mechanismas used within a drum for a drum-type vending machine according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 9 depicts assembly of trays for two different levels togetherwith a subdivider and locking mechanism as used within a drum for adrum-type vending machine according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0020]FIGS. 10A and 10B are simplified diagrams depicting alternativepositions for a subdivider within a drum tray for a drum-type vendingmachine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]FIGS. 1 through 10B, discussed below, and the various embodimentsused to describe the principles of the present invention in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present invention may beimplemented in any suitably arranged device.

[0022]FIG. 1 depicts a simplified plan view for a drum-type vendingmachine according to one embodiment of the present invention, while FIG.2 depicts an isometric view of the same vending machine. Vending machine100 includes a cabinet 101 containing a turret or drum 102 having anumber of trays as described below, preferably enclosed within aseparate portion of cabinet 101 that is refrigerated. Cabinet 101 alsoincludes a drum access door or panel 103, which in the exemplaryembodiment is hinged to swing open under key-controlled access to exposetrays within the drum 102. A semi-modular cooling system 104 is at theback of cabinet 101 and/or mounted below the drum 102, with anevaporator (not shown) extending up into the refrigerated portion of thecabinet while the condensing unit and compressor (also not shown) areseparate from the refrigerated compartment containing drum 102 with onlya single point of access thereto. A money access panel 105 is depictedin the example shown as disposed within the drum access door 103 whenclosed.

[0023] Drum access door 103 includes a number of transparent vend doors106 mounted therein as described in further detail below. Opening orclosing of each vend door 106 is electronically controlled byservo-operated rollers 107 or an equivalent drive mechanism, such asconnection to a belt-driven linkage. In the example illustrated, venddoors 106 are curved, and open and close by translation along an arcuatepath. In alternative embodiments, vend doors 106 may be essentiallyflat, and open and close by translation along a linear path.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the completeconstruction and operation of a vending machine is not depicted in thedrawings or described herein. Instead, for simplicity and clarity, onlyso much of the construction and operation of a vending machine as isunique to the present invention or necessary for an understanding of thepresent invention is depicted and described.

[0025]FIG. 3 depicts a vend door for a drum-type vending machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. Vend door 106 isformed of transparent plastic in the example shown, and includeselectrical contacts 300 for connection to a source of electrical power.Contacts 300 are also connected to heater elements (not visible in thedrawing), such as fine wires embedded within the transparent material ofthe vend door 106 or transparent conductive material formed andpatterned on an outer surface of vend door 106. These heater elements,when powered, heat the vend door 106 to limit condensation on the outersurface of the vend door 106.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system for a drum-typevending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.Control system 400 includes a processor or programmable controller 401coupled to a user input mechanism 402, typically including a paymentmechanism (e.g., coin acceptor and bill validator), a plurality ofbuttons for controlling the drum or individual levels therein (asdescribed in further detail below), and one or more item selectionbuttons.

[0027] Processor/controller 401 is also coupled to a drum controlmechanism 403 for controlling rotation of the drum 102 or individuallevels therein. Drum control mechanism 403 may include sensors fordetecting the position of individual levels therein. Processor 401 isfurther coupled to a vend door control mechanism 404 for controllingopening and closing of vend doors 106, also described in further detailbelow.

[0028] Processor/controller 401 may optionally be coupled tosemi-modular cooling subsystem 104, including temperature sensors,condensation sensors, and a control mechanism for the heater elements onvend doors 106, to at least partially control environmental conditionswithin and relating to the cabinet 101. Alternatively, the environmentalcontrol may be performed entirely independently of processor 401.

[0029]FIGS. 5A and 5B are simplified diagrams illustrating constructionof a drum and individual levels and zones therein for a drum-typevending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional plan view which depicts an enclosure 501having a generally circular cross-section, with an opening 502 on oneside. Within enclosure 501 is a center support member 503 to which areaffixed a plurality of trays 504 a-405 e for each level. As shown inFIG. 5B (without enclosure 501), trays 504 a-504 e are used to form nineidentical levels 505.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment, nine levels are formed by trays 504a-504 e, each separated from adjacent levels or layers by a spacing ofat least about five inches (a distance sufficient for an uprightsoft-drink can) While a different number of layers may be employed, atleast more than six levels is preferable to provide greater vendcapacity than conventional drum-type systems, which generally have sixor fewer levels.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, each level includes five trays 504a-504 e each occupying 72° of the circular space within drum 102, and issized to hold at least a nine inch platter. Each tray defines at leastone zone for a given level as described in further detail below. Due tosubdivision of the trays, one-to-one correspondence between the numberof trays and the number of zones within a given level may not exist.

[0032] The opening 502 is sized to correspond to the arcuate outer edgeof an individual tray 504. Each level has a separate vend door providingaccess through the opening 502 to the contents within a particular trayaligned within opening 502 for that level, or to a subdivided spacewithin that specific tray.

[0033]FIG. 6 depicts an individual tray for use within a drum for adrum-type vending machine according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. Tray 504 has a peripheral lip 600 allowing the tray to holdapproximately 4 to 13 ounces of spilled liquid. Tray 504 also includesmounting supports 601 for removably mounting tray 504 on center supportmember 503, as well as raised guides 602 and slots 603 for receiving atray subdivider. Tray 504 may optionally have sidewalls (not shown)along the radial edge connecting the inner support that abuts the centersupport member 503 when mounted to the outer arcuate edge, serving afunction similar to subdividers as described below.

[0034]FIGS. 7A and 7B depicts a tray subdivider and locking mechanismfor use with a tray within a drum for a drum-type vending machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 depicts anassembled tray, subdivider and locking mechanism, while FIG. 9 depictsassembly of trays for two different levels together with a subdividerand locking mechanism, both as used within a drum for a drum-typevending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Subdivider 700, which in the example shown includes holes topermit air flow therethrough to limit temperature differences within thedrum 501, are employed to increase the number of individual productsthat may be located on a single tray 504 within a drum-type vendingmachine, thus creating additional zones. Subdivider 700 is received byguides 602 and slots 603 within a tray. Locking mechanism 701 couples anupper edge of subdivider 700 disposed within one tray 504 to a trayimmediately above the subdivider 700, within the next higher level. Whenassembled as shown in FIG. 9 (where the trays, subdivider and lockingmechanism are all formed of transparent plastic), subdivider 700 andlocking mechanism 701, together with the upper and lower trays to whichthose members are attached, effectively form two separate compartmentsfor a given tray 504.

[0036] Subdivider 700 may extend beyond the radial outer distance of atray 504 from support member 503, with the protruding portion serving tocatch the vend door for the corresponding level during opening of thatvend door (with sufficient force to merely cause the servos operatingthe vend door to shut off), and thereby prevent access to more than onesubdivision for the tray 504. In this manner, subdivider 700 establishesdoor limits, such that separate or additional door stops are notrequired.

[0037] ) Trays 504, subdividers 700 and locking mechanisms 701 are allremovable for ease in cleaning during restocking, and for repositioningof the subdividers. In the exemplary embodiment, subdividers may bepositioned radially within a tray 504 in any of the three positions1001-1003 (or any combination thereof) depicted in FIG. 10A, or may bepositioned an askew position 1004 within the tray 504 as depicted inFIG. 10B. The configuration of FIG. 10B allows the tray to be used tovend articles of different sizes and/or types, such as a sandwich and acan of soft drink.

[0038] Unlike conventional drum-type vending machines, in the presentinvention different trays in a given level may have differentsubdivisions. For example, one tray might be subdivided into two equallyspaced regions, while a second tray is subdivided into three equallyspaced regions and a third tray is subdivided into two unequally spaced(or asymmetric) regions. The trays, subdividers and locking mechanisms,or any combination thereof, may contain position sensors (e.g., magneticindicators detecting by a drum position encoder) for use by drum controlmechanism 403.

[0039] Subdividers 700 allow multiple zones to be created within asingle tray 504. Thus, control system 400 includes a programmable memory405 for storing zone-based pricing for a particular configuration of thevending machine 100. Unlike conventional systems, where all items on agiven level must have the same price, the present invention allowsdifferent pricing to be associated with different trays on a givenlevel, and with different subdivisions on a given tray. The operatorprograms the number and location of zones for a given tray on a givenlevel and the associated price(s) during initial configuration of thevending machine, or during restocking and reconfiguration. The pricinginformation may be electronically indicated based on a zone aligned withthe vend door at a given point in time.

[0040] During operation, a customer causes the drum 501 or a given leveltherein to rotate until the tray 504 or a tray subdivision is accessiblewhen the vend door is opened—that is, aligned with a predetermined edgeof the opening 502 in drum 501 (the edge from which vend door recedesduring opening). Drum or level rotation is thus preferably controlledbased on the subdivisions employed, such that, for example, a givenlevel advances only one zone (tray or subdivision, as the case may be)at a time in response to the customer actuation of a rotate control.Upon appropriate payment, the vend door is opened to provide access onlyto the corresponding zone (tray or subdivision).

[0041] As noted above, the vend door for a given level may be powered,in which case programming of individual trays and/or subdivisions maycause the vend door to be opened a different amount, depending on thesubdivisions employed for a given tray. Alternatively, the vend doorservos may simply be programmed to stop once a preselected amount offorce preventing further opening of the vend door (corresponding to thedoor stop function of the subdivider protrusion) is encountered. If thevend door is manually operated, the subdivider protrusion precludesaccess-to any zones other than that for which payment has been received.

[0042] Separate pricing for individual zones (trays or subdivisionswithin a tray) on a given level provides vending flexibility permittingthe vendor to offer customers greater selection. Combined with agreater. number of levels, such flexibility allows lower operating costsand/or higher vend rates.

[0043] In addition, the present invention allows greater flexibility andcontrol over vending operations. For example, products within level orset of zones may be selectively restricted or “locked out” duringselected periods. Thus, for example, stock might be reserved for vendingonly during a night shift, or access to food items prevented after anexpiration date and/or time associated therewith. The zones may also beuseful in tracking sales, setting prices, and for other vendingoperation control purposes.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described in detail,those skilled in the art will understand that various changes,substitutions, variations, enhancements, nuances; gradations, lesserforms, alterations, revisions, improvements and knock-offs of theinvention disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention in its broadest form.

1. A drum-type merchandising system comprising: at least one trayincluding one or more mounting supports for mounting the tray on asupport within a drum type vending machine, the tray logically dividedinto a plurality of tray zones, wherein the tray includes at least oneof a slot or a guide selectively receiving a tray subdivider separatingone tray zone from another.
 2. The drum-type merchandising systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the tray includes a plurality of slots, aplurality of guides, or both selectively receiving a plurality of traysubdividers separating at least three zones on the tray.
 3. Thedrum-type merchandising system according to claim 1, wherein the trayzones are one or more of unequal sizes and defined by at least oneradially askew tray dividers.
 4. The drum-type merchandising systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a center support member onwhich the at least one tray is mounted; and a vend door disposedproximate to an outer edge of the at least one tray, wherein the venddoor is selectively movable between a closed position and an openposition, wherein the vend door, when in the open position, permitsaccess to only one tray zone.
 5. The drum-type merchandising systemaccording to claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of trays mountedon the center support member and including the at least one tray,wherein five trays are mounted at each level of nine levels spacedapproximately five inches apart, wherein each tray may be divided intoup to five tray zones, and wherein the center support member may beselectively rotated to position any selected tray zone on any of theplurality trays proximate to the vend door so that the selected trayzone is accessible when the vend door is in the open position.
 6. Thedrum-type merchandising system according to claim 4, wherein a distancebetween the open and closed positions for the vend door is defined by atleast one tray subdividers.
 7. The drum-type merchandising systemaccording to claim 4, further comprising: a catch on a tray subdividercontrolling a distance that the vend door moves between the open andclosed positions based upon a size of a tray zone positioned proximateto an edge of the vend door.
 8. The drum-type merchandising systemaccording to claim 4, further comprising: an enclosure having an openingwithin at least a sidewall, wherein the vend door is positioned over aportion of the opening when in the closed position; a motor for rotatingthe center support member; and controls that, when actuated, rotate thecenter support member to position a selected tray zone proximate to thevend door.
 9. The drum-type merchandising system according to claim 8,further comprising: a plurality of trays, including the at least onetray, each mounted on the center support member at one of a plurality ofdifferent levels, each tray logically divided into a plurality of trayzones and including at least one of a slot or a guide selectivelyreceiving a tray subdivider separating one tray zone from another; and aplurality of vend doors, including the vend door, each associated with adifferent level and each separately selectively movable between an openposition and a closed position, wherein each vend door, when in the openposition, permits access to only one tray zone on a corresponding tray.10. A method of operating a drum-type merchandising system comprising:logically dividing, into a plurality of tray zones, at least one trayincluding one or more mounting supports for mounting the tray on asupport within a drum type vending machine; and separating one tray zonefrom another with a tray subdivider selectively received by at least oneof a slot or a guide on the tray.
 11. The method according to claim 10,further comprising: separating at least three zones on the tray with aplurality of tray subdividers selectively received by a plurality ofslots, a plurality of guides, or both on the tray.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 10, further comprising: separating the tray into trayzones of unequal sizes using a radial or radially askew tray subdivider.13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: mounting theat least one tray on a center support member; and selectively moving avend door disposed proximate to an outer edge of the at least one traybetween a closed position and an open position, wherein the vend door,when in the open position, permits access to only one tray zone.
 14. Themethod according to claim 13, further comprising: mounting a pluralityof trays, including the at least one tray, on the center support member,wherein five trays are mounted at each level of nine levels spacedapproximately five inches a part; selectively rotating the centersupport member to position any selected tray zone on any of theplurality trays proximate to the vend door so that the selected trayzone is accessible when the vend door is in the open position; andassociating prices individually with each tray zone on each tray at eachlevel.
 15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: movingthe vend door a first distance between the open and closed positionswhen a first tray zone is positioned proximate to the vend door; andmoving a second distance between the open and closed positions when asecond tray zone is positioned proximate to the vend door.
 16. Themethod according to claim 13, further comprising: controlling a distancethat the vend door moves between the open and closed positions basedupon a tray subdivider defining a tray zone positioned proximate to anedge of the vend door.
 17. A drum-type merchandising system comprising:an enclosure around at least a portion of a drum perimeter; a centersupport member within the enclosure; at least one tray mounted on thecenter support member at each of a plurality of different levels; eachtray logically divided into a plurality of tray zones; at least one traysubdivider received by at least one of a slot or a guide on at least oneof the trays, the tray subdivider separating one tray zone on the atleast one of the trays from another; and a vend door disposed proximateto an opening through the enclosure at each of the different levels,each vend door corresponding to the at least one of the trays having atray subdivider selectively movable between an open position and aclosed position, wherein the vend door, when in an open position, andthe tray subdivider permit access to only one tray zone on acorresponding tray.
 18. The drum-type merchandising system according toclaim 17, wherein the tray zones are of unequal sizes.
 19. The drum-typemerchandising system according to claim 17, wherein a distance that thevend door moves between the open and closed positions depends on aposition of the tray subdivider relative to an edge of the tray.
 20. Thedrum-type merchandising system according to claim 17, wherein at leastone of the trays has a plurality of tray subdividers separating at leastthree tray zones on the tray.